Opening Remarks

Steve is currently the Director of the Standards Development Branch with the Ministry of the Environment. The Standards Development Branch develops air, land, and water quality standards and guidelines to protect human and ecosystem health; and provides toxicological and risk assessment expertise in support of ministry programs, policies and regulations. Prior to joining the Standards Development Branch Steve provided leadership for the Toxics Reduction Program. He has extensive experience within the Ministry in Abatement/Compliance, Regulatory Approvals and program development and implementation.

Alex has been consulting in air quality for over 20 years and has conducted extensive air quality assessments, emission inventory/analysis, air quality modelling studies, climate change, meteorology, and environmental impact assessments. Throughout his career, he has been involved with the oil and gas and chemical sector, developing guidelines and methodologies for conducting emission inventories, determining performance benchmarks, and conducting environmental monitoring and reporting. He has also worked with provincial and federal governments participating in policy development, public consultation, national multi-stakeholder initiatives, and fostering resolution of concerns raised by government agencies, First Nations and other stakeholders. He also holds a degree from McGill University in meteorology and environmental sciences.

As a company, Levelton conducts stack sampling and ambient monitoring programs, and has developed and operated VOC monitoring and LDAR programs for some facilities in Western Canada for over 27 years.

Next Generation Air Measurements (NGAM)

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Eben Thoma, US EPA: Office of Research and Development – Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Dr. Eben Thoma is a scientist with the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) in RTP NC. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from Wake Forest University in 1997 in laser spectroscopy and optical-material interactions. Dr. Thoma joined U.S. EPA in 2003 after 6 years in the private sector working on laser system and instrumentation design. He now leads NRMRL’s fugitive emissions, area source, and fenceline measurement group and specializes in open-path spectroscopic measurements, mobile monitoring, and sensors for air quality applications. His interests include remote sensing, nanofabrication, sensor networks, and measurement-model systems.

Review of Current and Evolving Technologies for LDAR and Ambient Monitoring

As a 1979 graduate from Vanier College in Montreal, Giuseppe Tortorici holds a techdegree in instrumentation and control. He worked at Elsag Bailey from 1979 to 1999. His long career in various roles serving the industrial and utilities markets, including testing, system design, service and sales has given him exposure to many technologies for process monitoring, control and optimization. Giuseppe Tortorici is presently the analytical products sales manager for ABB BU-Measurement Products in Canada.

Jeremy Bartel is the Central Canada Regional Sales Manager for FLIR Systems Canada. Based out of the Burlington Ontario office, Jeremy works on Technical Applications of Thermal Imaging Cameras, Field demonstrations and day to day proof of concepts. For the past three years Jeremy has been the Western Canada Manager based in Edmonton in the same role. There he worked primarily with end users specializing in Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Petrochemical Production and Fugitive Emission detection. His Background is Power Transmission Components, Industrial Distribution & Manufacturing.

Rob Milner has 13 years with FLIR, first managing the Central Canada Region and now managing the national business development of automated and scientific products. He is a metallurgical engineer by training with a background in high alloy central casting used in ethylene pyrolysis and other high temperature applications in the Sarnia Chemical Valley.

Mark Modrak is the Project Manager of the ARCADIS Advanced Air Monitoring Group. Mr. Modrak holds a M.S. in Meteorology from North Carolina State University, and has been with ARCADIS for 12 years. During his career, he has managed multiple emissions measurements projects for both federal and commercial clients. He has extensive experience in applying various optical remote sensing techniques for the measurement of emissions from a variety of sites, including oil and gas production pads, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and other industrial sources.

Matt brings over 25 years of analyzer experience to his role as Regional Director and Co-Owner of Novatech; “The Analytical Solution Experts”. Novatech is a local Canadian distributor and solution-provider for a variety of world-class analyzer manufacturers. Matt and his team have a successful track record working with local companies such as IOL, Shell, Suncor, Lanxess and Nova Chemicals to deliver turn-key engineered solutions to meet their process, environmental and safety measurement requirements.

Rebellion Photonics offers its unique Gas Cloud Imaging (GCI) cameras that can image and quantify gas leaks in real-time video. Rebellion’s GCI system is available in both fixed for continuous monitoring and truck-mounted for periodic monitoring. The fixed GCI systems dramatically enhance an asset’s DCS systems and thereby reduce the need for unplanned maintenance or releases. Rebellion also offers a truck-mounted, all inclusive, GCI emissions monitoring service for meeting regulatory requirements and GHG emissions monitoring. The GCI is capable of differentiating among over 20 types of gases including hydrocarbons like methane and other dangerous gases like hydrogen sulfide. It is capable of continuously monitoring large areas and is inherently more reliable than any single point detection or sensor network. It’s also versatile in that it can be deployed in a variety of applications and environments in oil and gas drilling, completion and production with customers in upstream, midstream and downstream.

Ken has a chemical engineer degree and started his career in the refining industry. From there he moved on to consulting engineering firms working on geothermal development and design projects in the Middle East. He currently works with the US Environmental Protection Agency. His EPA career has focused on air emissions from refiners and chemical facilities. In the late 80s he was involved in the first LDAR inspections conducted by EPA. He was the technical lead for the LDAR and Benzene Waste portions of the refinery global settlements. Currently he is involved with the development of next generation remote monitoring activities.

Derek Reese has been relentlessly chasing down fugitive emissions and putting them back in the pipes for over 23 years at ExxonMobil. Using his chemistry degree and military training as a U.S. Naval Officer, Derek has been a dogged pursuer of these wayward molecules and has been a staunch advocate for use of better technology and efficient paradigms to keep these organic escapees in their place. Affectionately known as “a big air head”, Derek Reese has spent his career in environmental compliance and supervision at ExxonMobil refineries and chemical plants. He has never met a carbon atom he didn’t like and always tries to help them find their maximum value in life. His philosophy to young organic molecules is simple. It is better to stay in the pipeline to productivity as a polymer, fuel, or useful medicine than to throw your molecular life away in the atmosphere and becoming just another ozone radical.

Gary Mueller is a Principal Air Quality Consultant with the Environmental Sciences Department of Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. He has a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has worked for Shell in a variety of environmental positions for over 30 years. His experience includes work in water and wastewater treatment, groundwater treatment, and the past 20 years in air quality management programs. His job assignments have included both environmental research and technical support to operations. One of his responsibilities within Shell is to lead the Air Global Expertise Team. The Air GET is responsible for insuring that the Shell businesses are working the key air issues and managing the business risk associated with the same, as well as insuring that the imbedded environmental resources within the businesses have access to the resources and tools necessary to insure compliance with all applicable air quality requirements. During his career at Shell Gary has authored or coauthored over 20 technical papers and presentations on a variety of environmental topics.

L.D. Pierce is an air compliance officer with Husky Energy’s Lima Ohio refinery and has over 24 years of experience in heavy industry as a chemical and environmental engineer. Prior to joining Husky in 2013, Mr. Pierce worked in the downstream oil industry, the tire & rubber industry, industrial minerals and mining, wastewater treatment, and was an on-air radio announcer. In his current job, he looks forward to Two for Tuesdays when he gives away coupons to the local hamburger stand to the 1st LDAR technician that finds two leaks back to back. Prior to Husky, Mr. Pierce managed environmental compliance throughout North and South America, used his radio voice to conduct advocacy within the United States, and has worked on environmental policy development and environmental sustainability initiatives. L.D. holds a Professional Engineering license (P.E.) in Environmental Engineering and is currently working on a program to reduce chronic leakers, called “Throwback Thursdays.” Mr. Pierce holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland and is currently working to complete his MBA, also through the University of Maryland.

Tristram Tidd is an environmental engineer with downstream environmental operations and has over 11 years of experience in the Canadian oil and gas industry. Since 2013 he has been a Staff Environmental Engineer in Husky’s Downstream Environmental Operations Group. Using his eagle eye, Tristram leads the Downstream Leak Detection and Repair Program as well as part of the Downstream Environmental Audit Team. Not satisfied to work at the 10,000 foot level, Tristram dives into his work like a hawk, preying on VOC leaks to extinction. Prior to this position, Tristram was the Environmental Specialist and the official “perch” at Husky’s Lloydminster Asphalt Refinery and Lloydminster Upgrader. In addition, Tristram has also held positions with Imperial Oil as a Remediation Project Manager in both the Upstream and Downstream parts of their business. Tristram graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Civil Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in both Alberta and Ontario.

Amy Robinson works at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in the Air Quality Division. She has been working in the Air Monitoring Unit for 13 years, before that she worked at the Wayne County Department of Environment in the Air Quality Management Division. She received a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt University and studied Analytical Chemistry in Graduate School at Wayne State University. Amy is the program lead on PM2.5, fine particulate and black carbon measurements, and has extensive knowledge of air toxics data analysis.

Industry Perspectives on Ambient Monitoring and Community Interactions

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Juan Li, Chevron – Richmond, California

Juan Li is an Environmental Team Lead at the Chevron Richmond Refinery in California, USA. She and her team manage the Refinery’s compliance with air emission related regulations. Juan Li started her career with Chevron in 1997 and has held various positions in chemical analysis, water discharge and mostly in the air emission regulatory field. Juan Li holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology from Liao-Ning University in China and and Master of Science degrees in Environmental Chemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China and from McGill University in Canada, respectively.

Eric Stevenson is a chemical engineer with over 20 years of experience in the environmental field. He has designed remediation systems, performed air pollution emissions permitting, testing and monitoring and, as the current Director of Technical Services at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, manages the Air Monitoring, Laboratory, Source Test, Meteorology, Quality Assurance and Data Management programs. He is a member of various committees and work groups dealing with air quality measurement issues on a local state and national level, including the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) Air Monitoring Steering Committee.

Ed is a senior project manager and has been with ORTECH for 25 years and has a great deal of experience with airshed survey and design, including extensive involvement in the Sarnia Lambton Environmental Association’s air and water monitoring programs. Specialized areas of expertise include instrumentation design and development, database management, and quality management systems.

Sharilyn Johnston, is a member of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. She is currently employed as the Environment Coordinator for Aamjiwnaang First Nation and has been working with the Aamjiwnaang people in this capacity for the last 7 years. Sharilyn works very closely with Chief and Council and the Environment Committee to provide updated information on the ongoing environmental issues and challenges faced by the community. She has worked alongside regulators and industry to ensure Aamjiwnaang’s interests are heard as they assert their rights to be consulted and have a say in what happens in their territory.

Alison Tucker has been an Environmental Project Officer with Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Environmental Protection Branch since 2008. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (honours) majoring in toxicology from the University of Saskatchewan and began her career with Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment shortly after. Her career began with environmental regulation of the uranium mining industry and since then has moved her to the regulation of the potash mining and petroleum refining sectors. She has been responsible for evaluating environmental compliance at petrochemical operations in Saskatchewan since 2011.

Chemical engineer at SNC-Lavalin Inc. – Environment division with 18 years of experience in environment, particularly in fugitive emissions, ambient and indoor air quality. As an experienced air quality engineer, he collaborated on the creation of several environmental software programs in the fields of industrial fugitive emissions, environmental monitoring, emission inventories and technology selection for waste treatment. He also supervised the implementation of numerous emissions control programs in refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants in Canada and abroad. He also contributed to the development of industry specific correlation equations for the calculation of fugitive emissions for the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers.

Mr. Sébastien Wagner is an engineer with 15 years of experience in the field of air quality and environment. For 10 years, he worked for SNC-Lavalin in the air quality group and among other things he was managing & implementing Leak detection and Repair programs at international and national level. In 2010, he joined the industrial emission control division of the city of Montreal and since then he is responsible for the enforcement of air quality and waste water quality by-laws in the eastern sector of Montreal. He is also involved in the review and implementation of environmental regulations.

Mrs. Diane Boulet holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Quebec in Montreal and a master's degree in public management. She began her career in basic medical research and joined the laboratory team of the City of Montreal in 1989. Over the past twenty five years, she held several functions, all related to air and water pollution within the Environmental Department. Involved in various projects related to air quality, including the implementation of regulations such as the idling of motor vehicles and solid fuel appliances, she became team leader of the Montreal’s Air Quality Monitoring Network, in 2009.

At the University, Elisabeth wanted to save the world in protecting the environment. At the end of these studies, her first job as a consultant was working as process engineer for Shell Montreal refinery projects. Her family and friends were laughing at the situation that seemed so far from her ideal. She replied: "I am certain that there are a few things to do in environment». Hired by Petro-Canada in 2005, she joined the environment group in 2009 and «a few small things to do» became a full day job for the environment.

Lessons Learned with Respect to LDAR and Ambient Monitoring

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Jane Perz, Oxy Vinyls – Niagara, Ontario

Jane Perz is the environmental engineer at the Oxy Vinyls Canada facility located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Her previous professional experience includes environmental consulting which included project management, remediation, and Site assessments. Jane is a graduate of the University of Windsor.